SSOW

Improving track worker safety with Network Rail's SSOW standard

Creating a safe working environment trackside requires careful planning before work can begin. A job that is planned well is more likely to make full use of available resources, be more cost-effective, and above all be safer to implement.

The introduction of Network Rail’s Core planning and SSOW standards has mandated improvements to be made to the way in which track work is planned and carried out.

Safe System of Work planning "SSOW" contains a hierarchy of protection methods, with green zone working as the first choice, followed by red zone working with an automatic means of warning, and finally red zone working with human lookouts as a last resort.

Renewal work and maintenance of the railway infrastructure takes place daily. This work must often be carried out close to or on the running track known as 'the line'.
Some work can be done by machine but all work involves people and that presents considerable risk.

It is the responsibility of infrastructure managers such as Network Rail and London Underground to work with their contractors to plan ahead and manage renewal and maintenance work to minimise safety risks and disruption.

The safest way of undertaking maintenance and renewal work is to separate workers from trains. On Network Rail controlled infrastructure, this is known as 'green zone working' and involves blocking one or more lines to trains and/or setting up protected areas away from running lines. On London Underground most work takes place at night when the network is closed to passenger traffic and the traction current is discharged. This time is known as ‘Engineering Hours’.

It is not always possible to block lines to traffic and some work has to take place on lines where trains continue to run:this is known as ‘red zone working’. ’Red zone working’ involves warning workers of approaching trains in time for them to get clear of the line and into 'positions of safety' well before the train arrives. This type of working requires very strict safety systems to be in place.

Eldin has full in-house railway "Core planning" facilities, enabling our licensed staff to plan your work to the safest standards, making full use of available resources and ensuring work is carried out in the most cost-effective way.

Eldin Core Planners planners hold both stage 1 and stage 2 competences and can:-

• Provide planning for all safe systems of work, whether T2 or T3.
• Input T2, T3 & T4 worksite applications to the possession planning system (PPS)
• Negotiate short notice applications & produce the required business case
• Plan AC & DC Isolations
• Book engineering trains
• Attend Possession planning meetings
• Produce detailed possession plans for our customers
• Provide comprehensive track access / Rimini packs for your safety critical staff
• Arrange safety critical staff on our client’s behalf

Eldin strive to improve track worker safety by better planning and organisation of the work.